Deepinder Goyal’s “I Want You Back” Campaign: 8,000 Emails and a WhatsApp SOS

On Thursday, February 12, 2026, the Indian startup ecosystem witnessed a rare moment of corporate vulnerability. Deepinder Goyal, the visionary founder of the Eternal ecosystem (formerly Zomato), shared an update on his viral “hiring call” to former employees.

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What started as a simple outreach on February 3 has exploded into a logistical mountain. Goyal revealed that over 8,000 emails have poured in, with roughly 4,000 coming from people who were once part of the Zomato journey.

Also Read |Tamil Nadu Voter List Purge: 97 Lakh Names Deleted in SIR Phase 1

8,000 Stories: Why Goyal is Reading Every Email Personally

The volume of responses has reportedly overwhelmed the internal HR teams. Goyal noted that these aren’t standard resumes; they are “stories” filled with decades of context.

• Emotional Depth: Many emails trace back 15 years, detailing the early days of the company’s “chaotic” growth.

• The Context Gap: Goyal admitted that the current leadership team lacks the history to understand these narratives, making him the only one capable of filtering the talent.

• The “Boomerang” Goal: Over 400 people are currently on their second or third stint at Eternal, a trend Goyal wants to accelerate.

The “WhatsApp” Hack: Direct Access for Direct Reports

In a move that sparked immediate debate on X, Goyal offered a shortcut to bypass the email queue.

“If you worked with me directly, and you wrote in, and you are waiting for a reply, here is what will work quickly: find my number and WhatsApp me. Looking forward to reconnect.”

While some users lauded this as “radical transparency,” others humoured the idea of thousands of ex-employees hunting for a billionaire’s private mobile number. This unconventional approach highlights Goyal’s desire to maintain a “startup speed” even as the parent company matures.

Also Read |Tamil Nadu Voter List Purge: 97 Lakh Names Deleted in SIR Phase 1

Eternal vs. Zomato: The Corporate Rebrand Explained

For those confused by the name “Eternal,” it is the result of a massive corporate restructuring completed in early 2025.

1. The Umbrella: Eternal Limited is the parent holding company listed on stock exchanges.

2. The Brands: Under the Eternal banner sit Zomato (Food Delivery), Blinkit (Quick Commerce), Hyperpure (B2B), District (Dining/Events), and Feeding India.

3. The Logic: The rebranding was designed to show that the company is no longer “just a food app” but a multi-vertical tech giant.

New Leadership: Albinder Dhindsa Steps Up as CEO

The call for ex-staff to return comes during a significant leadership transition. On February 1, 2026, Goyal officially stepped down as Group CEO and Managing Director.

• The Successor: Albinder Dhindsa, the man credited with Blinkit’s explosive growth, is the new Group CEO of Eternal.

• Goyal’s New Focus: Now serving as Vice Chairman, Deepinder is shifting his focus toward “higher-risk exploration”—ventures like longevity research (Continue) and aerospace (LAT Aerospace) that sit outside the public company’s core risk profile.

Also Read |Tamil Nadu Voter List Purge: 97 Lakh Names Deleted in SIR Phase 1

[ETERNAL GROUP SNAPSHOT: FEBRUARY 2026]

Next Steps

If you are a former Zomato employee looking to return, you should ensure your message to back@eternal.com clearly states your previous manager and “unfinished business” to catch the filtering eyes. Furthermore, if you are a job seeker who never worked at Zomato, you should monitor Albinder Dhindsa’s LinkedIn updates, as he is now the primary driver for day-to-day operations and core hiring at the Eternal group.

Also Read |Tamil Nadu Voter List Purge: 97 Lakh Names Deleted in SIR Phase 1

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